Getting Sick

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

OK, folks, here's where we post our little nasty experiences we've all had at one time or another. I will brief you on a few of mine, sans detail. Since I tend to hang with the locals, or with buddies of my friends who happen to be living where I visit, I am not eating at hotels nor do I ever, EVER eat at American fast food chains. I've had Delhi Belly, loose bowels in Chiang Mai(Thailand), the same in Casablanca(my last day, thank goodness), but most of these "passed", no pun intended, and were stopped up with my ever-present immodium. I have never had any shots nor have I taken quinine tabs, but believe it or not I am rather careful about NOT eating fried stuff at street stands(they use the oil like 100 times) and eating raw vegetables, fruit(unless you can peel it) or fresh juices. :wink:

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

I got hepititus A & B shots because it's a very serious disease that you can even contract in the USA nowadays. A bunch of people in Pennsylvania died last year of it. It's to the point where newborn babies in the US are automatically vaccinated against hepititus -- they didn't used to do that when I was born, so I figured I might as well get it now.

I've never gotten any sicker than what a single Immodium will take care of. Many people say "don't eat the street food" but to that I say "then why the heck leave home?" Thai street food in particular is wonderful, my favorite is this grilled chicken that comes on a stick, accompanied by a sweet chili sauce. It's not quite the same as satay because the sauce is different and the chicken is marinated differently. And then there are mangoes, they are my favorite fruit!

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Laura wrote: I got hepititus A & B shots because it's a very serious disease that you can even contract in the USA nowadays. A bunch of people in Pennsylvania died last year of it. It's to the point where newborn babies in the US are automatically vaccinated against hepititus -- they didn't used to do that when I was born, so I figured I might as well get it now.

I've never gotten any sicker than what a single Immodium will take care of. Many people say "don't eat the street food" but to that I say "then why the heck leave home?" Thai street food in particular is wonderful, my favorite is this grilled chicken that comes on a stick, accompanied by a sweet chili sauce. It's not quite the same as satay because the sauce is different and the chicken is marinated differently. And then there are mangoes, they are my favorite fruit!

Yeah, the mangoes are fab!
I ate mostly papayas and bananas though, and the occasional durian(pricey fruit!)...

Generally speaking, street food is safe if one avoids the fried stuff and fresh(raw) fruits & vegetables. I've never had any problems with noodles or grilled food, which is standard fare at a lot of street stands...

I once met a cautious North American traveler in Seoul and he said "Namdeumun market street stands? Oh, I would NEVER eat there. You'd get cholera!!!" :roll: I chuckled, because he didn't know what he was missing. I've eaten there at least twice on each of my 19 visits to Seoul without incident!!! :D

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

I think someone has as much chance of getting cholera in Seoul they do in New York City. Americans are brought up to believe that no other country is as clean or as safe as our own, which is pretty silly. They don't realize that the little "stomach flus" or "24 hour viruses" they come down with here at home are pretty much the same kinds of "bugs" you'll get in any modern city. It's amazing the amount of generalized fear, uncertainty, and doubt that is ground into us from the time we are small.

So I understand about the raw fruits & vegetables, but what's the deal with fried foods? I've never been hesitant to eat them and I'm curious as to what is really going on in there so I can change my habits if needed.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Laura wrote:
So I understand about the raw fruits & vegetables, but what's the deal with fried foods? I've never been hesitant to eat them and I'm curious as to what is really going on in there so I can change my habits if needed.

The oil is used repeatedly, and it gets rancid fast. Countries notorious for this are China & India. It won't kill you, but if you are travelling by bus it might make you quite uncomfortable along the way, if you know what I mean :shock: . I don't eat fried foods anyhow, unless I am at my favorite restaurant here in Kurashiki and I order the chef's special tempura, so I am not particularly drawn to any street stands frying things... :?